Fr. Stephen Blaxton, pastor at St. Brigid’s Parish in Midland, noticed a group of college students attending daily Mass and Adoration. Among them was Lorenzo Alfred, a junior at Northwood and safety on the school’s football team.

“It really started with the push from Fr. Stephen, as he helped us get organized with funding and some ideas, and then from there it took off,” Lorenzo recalls.

That’s the humble beginning of Timby Catholics, a group organized by students, Fr. Stephen, Northwood staff, and the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw last August. “Timby” is a play off the school’s Timberwolves mascot.

“The goal of Timby Catholics is to strengthen Catholic faith and increase the presence of Jesus on campus...[so] it spreads like a wildfire with the Holy Spirit,” declares Lorenzo.

Lorenzo has witnessed this growth and spread on campus, through bible studies, Adoration, pancake breakfasts, outreach events and more.

“Our first couple Bible studies had well over 70 students. On average... we have anywhere from 10 to 20 people who come for our Bible studies, and depending on the event, we get anywhere from 20 to 30.”

Timby Catholics has had a big reach with athletes on campus, with golfer Cameron Bordeau and linebacker Joe Lathers joining in leadership. Along with others, they’ve formed a core group of Catholic friends striving to be saints and inviting others to the Church.

“Leading Timby Catholics has really helped me to evangelize. It has made me bolder in sharing the faith and bringing others to bible studies and events,” says Cameron, adding that one of non-Catholic friends is now joining him for weekly Adoration and even attended a Healing Mass.

Timby Catholics are dreaming big for other students on campus. “Our main goal is to reignite your faith, hope that you can experience [the] love of Christ, and to lead you back into the church,” Lorenzo says.

“It’s very important to have community, and it’s very hard to grow in your faith without it. Our brothers and sisters would just love to push you in your faith, help you to grow - that’s what we’re here for.”